"Broadchurch" Recap: "Series 2 - Episode 1"

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

I've made the admission before that Broadchurch is a series that I missed when it initially came out on television a while back, and it's one of those viewing decisions I regret. But, I did enjoy the Americanized version of it in Gracepoint and that led me to seek out the original show on Netflix and enjoy it at last. Needless to say, when it comes to both versions of the story, I was dying to know where the story would go next and while I may not ever see a continuation of the American tale and its twist on the original's ending, at least the story goes on in Broadchurch. So without further ado, let's talk about "Episode 1" of Series 2! 

When we last left Broadchurch, Ellie's husband Joe had confessed to the murder to Daniel Latimer and it seemed that the community was moving toward healing at last.  But as the show opens, there is tension still, for today is Joe's sentencing and it has dredged up plenty of bad memories for everyone as all reunite at the courthouse to hear Joe finally speak the words "Guilty" and be sent off to jail. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Joe, in a surprise moment that infuriates his ex wife, stuns DI Hardy and sends the Latimers into an emotional tailspin, declares himself to be not guilty.

Joe tells his Barrister, Abby, that he has changed his mind and wants the case to go to trial, putting Abby's boss, Sharon on the case to defend him in court, and she and Abby believe that there may be enough inconsistencies in the case to overturn the charges against him. It forces the Latimers to seek out Jocelyn Knight, a retired Barrister who initially isn't interested in helping them out but once she sees Sharon, who turns out to be a former pupil of hers, has taken the case she decides to return from retirement and prosecute Joe for the Latimers, knowing full well Sharon will play ugly...more on that in a moment. 

The other highlight of the night was DI Hardy's past coming back to haunt him. Turns out he took the gig in Broadchurch to help out the woman whose life he has all but ruined thanks to the former case in Sandbrook that shattered his career. He has the woman, Claire, held up in a cottage in Broadchurch to keep her safe from her ex husband Lee Ashworth, whom Claire named as the murderer in the case. But while she has been safe and secure for seven months, that may all change soon, since Lee has returned to the country, his motives are unknown but he takes the time to break into Hardy's place and swipe some mail and important info.  But before Hardy can deal with that, the dirty move from Joe's legal team comes to a head as they order Danny's body to be exhumed for a new autopsy, leading all of those tied to the case to reunite again, this time under horrible circumstances to watch Danny's body be pulled from the grave as Lee watches in the distance. 

So wow, did not expect the show to go in this incredibly ugly direction when I sat down to watch it, especially since Series 2 was advertised as a healing for the town that saw its heart ripped out with this ugly murder and it was a phenomenal opener to say the least, and one that sets up all the important questions for the rest of the season. For one, why the hell did Joe change his mind about his plea after confessing? Is Lee here for revenge and also, did he actually commit the murders in Sandbrook? Not to mention one little plot piece I didn't cover initially, why is Mike Latimer hanging out and playing video games with Tom Miller in Susan Wright's old trailer?  I'm sure these are questions that will be answered throughout the season of course, but right now, I'm hooked and ready for more. Until next time. 

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